Jewish Studies - Boys

The aim of the Kodesh programme at the Boys' School is to develop the textual and comprehension skills of the students to a level which will enable them to gain entry to a mainstream Yeshiva. Much emphasis is placed on learning methodology in order to ensure that the students acquire the necessary tools to become independent learners. The curriculum is designed to provide the students with a broad and robust Jewish education that will equip them to face the challenges of modern living and to take their places as outstanding members of the Jewish community. Students will study Chumash, Nach, Gemara, Mishna and Halacha and in Year 10 Religious Studies and/or Biblical Hebrew GCSE. The Boys' School Jewish Studies team comprises a wide range of talents and styles and every effort is made to ensure that all students are taught in a way that maximises their potential.

Teachers

• Rabbi B. Katz (Subject Leader)
• Rabbi D. Obermeister (Assistant Subject Leader)
• Rabbi M. Amar
• Mr J. Bokor
• Mr M Brandeis
• Rabbi A. Cohen
• Rabbi M. Cohen
• Rabbi D. Connick
• Mr M. Creeger
• Rabbi G. Finesilver
• Mr Y. Galpert
• Rabbi P. Gerber
• Mr Y. Golker
• Rabbi M. Gottlieb
• Rabbi J. Hager
• Rabbi Y. Hartman (Head, Beis Hamedrash programme)
• Mr A. Hamilton
• Mr J Hockley
• Mr M. Hommel
• Rabbi M. Hool
• Mr D. Jacobson
• Rabbi C. Kahan
• Rabbi D. Karp
• Rabbi A. Landau (Mashgiach and Assistant Head, Beis Hamedrash programme)
• Mr J. Leigh
• Rabbi D. Muster
• Mr M. Neuberger
• Mr S. Ormonde
• Rabbi A. Rosenberg
• Rabbi D. Rowe
• Mr D. Rome
• Rabbi D. Royde
• Rabbi E Schoerman
• Rabbi Y. Sliw
• Mr Y. Sobel
• Mr D. Sudwarts
• Rabbi M. Taubman
• Rabbi Tuggendhaft
• Mr S. Vecht
• Mr D. Vincent
• Mr D. Wagner

Jewish Studies Groups

There are four Limmudei Kodesh groups in every year group, each geared to meet the differing needs of the students. In order to ensure that our baseline pre-entry assessment is sound Year 7 students are initially taught the same syllabus for Gemara, Chumash, Nach, Mishna and Dinim in four parallel groups. After four weeks the students are set the same exam on what they learned in that period of time, following which the Jewish Studies groups are finalised, with any further adjustments made at the end of the first term.

Gemara (Talmud)

There is a fixed Messechta selected for each year group. This is done to ensure that the topics and skills covered are best suited to the needs of the students. It also enables the department to develop quality printed and multi-media teaching materials which can be refined and developed on an ongoing basis.

The Messechtes are:

• Year 7 - Kiddushin
• Year 8 - Bava Metzia
• Year 9 - Succah
• Year 10 - Bava Kama
• Year 11 - Pessachim.

Gemara Berura

September 2008 will see the official launch of the widely acclaimed 'Gemara Berura' programme. This Gemara Berura software enables both teachers and students to uncover the underlying structure of any Sugya (piece of Gemara) in a hands-on and interactive manner. The programme can also be used for home study and will eventually be available at any location via the internet. Among other features it facilitates the identification and learning of the translation and function of Gemara 'key words' and will further help the students to develop their independent learning skills. Hasmonean is proud to be the first school in Europe to use the Gemara Berura programme and we are confident that it will greatly enhance the teaching and learning of Gemara in school.

Chumash

The following Sedros are studied in depth with particular emphasis on textual skills and understanding of the text and the classic commentaries. Students are trained to understand the reason behind the questions that Rashi poses and to formulate their own questions and observations.

• Year 7 - Mishpatim - Ki Sisoh
• Year 8 - Ve'eschanan - Eikev
• Year 9 - Chukas - Balak
• Year 10 - Kedoshim - Emor
• Year 11 - Topics in Sefer Bereishis.

Nach

Students study the characters and events in-depth and are taught the lessons and values that can be learned and incorporated into their daily lives.

• Year 7 - Yehoshua and Shoftim
• Year 8 - Shmuel Alef and Beis
• Year 9 - Melochim Alef and Beis
• Year 10 - Set texts for Biblical Hebrew GCSE.

Halacha (Jewish Law)

Students are taught the laws that are essential for orthodox daily living and gain an appreciation of their composition, background and rationale.

• Year 7 - Seder Hayom, Brochos, Tefilla, Tsitsis
• Year 8 - Tefillin, Kashrus, Mitzvos Asei of Shabbos
• Year 9 - The 39 Melachos of Shabbos.

Post 16: Beis Hamedrash programme

The Sixth Form Jewish Studies programme has been a great success since its inception seven years ago by Rabbi Meyer, and was described by both Ofsted and Pikuach as the jewel in the Hasmonean crown. The programme, headed by Rabbi Hartman, comprises a combination of skills and tools for preparing for Yeshiva and beyond. It is mainly based around Gemoro where the boys are taught how to analyse a text, how to cope with unseen pieces of Gemoro and the commentaries thereon. We also have university students who have been through the system and come in to help one on one during the chavrusoh session.

The atmosphere in the Beis Hamedrash programme is second to none – whether it be in the actual learning sessions, the Shacharis that we all daven together or at the very wholesome breakfast supplied each morning.

Sessions are also provided after school, particularly the Thursday Mishmar programme. Here, the boys select from a variety of topics including Halacha and philosophy.

The Rebbeim at the Beis are more than subject teachers: they also take pastoral care of the students, spending many hours outside of school, helping them academically and socially.

Thursday Mishmar and Masmidim

The Mishmar programme, starting in Autumn 2008, will provide a series of after-school Shiurim for all students each Thursday from 4.15-5.10. There will also be one after-school 'Masmidim' Shiur for each year group on another evening, designed to cater for gifted and talented students.

Extra Curricular Clubs and Activities

• Mishna Munch: There is a popular 'Mishna Munch' lunch break club every Tuesday in the Beis Hamedrash.
• Chazara Club: From September 2008, there will be a Chazara (revision) club once a week in the Beis Hamedrash. This will enable students from all year groups to learn with each other and provide help for those students who, for various reasons, are unable to review the week's learning with an adult or elder sibling at home.